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Hi everyone,

I'm heading to the US in September and am after some information on jumping.

Firstly, let me say that I intend to meet up with local jumpers to get the ins and outs wherever I plan to jump, but I'm also after some help to clear things up in my own mind.

What exactly is the legal situation for jumping off cliffs in the US? Obviously the big Californian stuff is out and some stuff in Utah is in, but I've always heard rumours that jumping on Bureau of Land Management land – at least to some extent - is okay.

Can anyone shed some light on how the situation breaks down and what states or areas (if any) are BASE friendly?

PM me if that's more appropriate. Thanks,

Jesse.

Hello,
The NPS has a policy in effect which has somehow been interpreted as a ban on BASE jumping in NPS territory. It's been held up in court.
BLM land is very different, with literally no prohibition of BASE. Also the Dept. of Forestry has no ban on the sport. You may find special circumstance areas where for one reason or another, BASE is specifically banned, usually seasonal, for some special critter.
In other BASE environment areas the chance trouble you may have is with possible trespassing.
But then again if the land owner does not file a charge, maybe you slide on by.
Some counties have laws prohibiting the use of their structures for recreational flight, including bungee jumping, hang gliding, and BASE jumping.
Some states don't give a fuck what you do off their stuff, woo hoo!
There's a lot of jumpable private property, just be discreet, don't get stuck answering questions.
Get in get off get packing, the night's still young.

For instance: Best to just avoid Moab during Jeep Week lest you get "Mook of the year" honors from the BLM.

edit to add: this infraction involves state hwy rights-of-way and affects exit points along Wall St. and Hwy 128 to the east of Moab proper. - CH

The recent word is that BASE is prohibited in BLM designated "Wilderness Areas" and "Wilderness Study Areas", at least in Utah.

Wilderness Area is a designation that exists in both BLM and NPS lands, and carries its own restritions that include parachuting and landing a parachute (as two different regulations). BLM land is otherwise good to go, but if its a designated Wilderness Area you can get in trouble regardless of who manages the land. If its NPS thats also a designated Wilderness Area... you'll get the book thrown at you.

FYI, the terminal "desert solitude" cliff in US that was previously thought to be 100% legal is actually a wilderness study area.... this is news to the locals as none of us had heard of this rule untill a few weeks ago.

well this is horrible news...

Does anyone know how long the wildernes studies last?

good thing it is out in the middle of no where, eh?

That blows. Thanks for the heads-up.

It wouldn't be good for your career if you got caught and ended up in the papers back home hey